California waterfalls

23 waterfalls across 3 regions and 15 California counties. 1 need no hike at all. 23 confirmed from an official source page. The tallest we track is Yosemite Falls at 2425 ft. See the interactive map for driving distance.

Browse California by region

Northern California

9 waterfalls · 0 roadside

Yosemite/Sierra Nevada

9 waterfalls · 1 roadside

Southern California Mountains

5 waterfalls · 0 roadside

Towns with more than one waterfall nearby

Yosemite Valley

4 waterfalls

Northern California

9 waterfalls · Northern California guide →

Official source

Alamere Falls

Bolinas, CA

hike-requiredstrenuousno-dogstide-dependent

40 ftFree — no entrance or parking fee, per NPS

Official source

Basin Falls (Uvas Canyon)

Morgan Hill, CA

hike-requiredmoderatedog-friendlyfee-required

Height not published$6 vehicle entrance fee; day-use vehicle reservations required

Official source

Burney Falls

Burney, CA

easyno-dogsfee-required

129 ft$10 per vehicle day-use fee; reservations required Fri–Sun and holidays, May 15–Sep 27, 2026

Official source

Cataract Falls

Fairfax, CA

hike-requiredmoderate

Height not publishedFee/permit not published

Official source

Feather Falls

Berry Creek, CA

hike-requiredstrenuous

Height not publishedFee/permit not published

Official source

Hidden Falls (Placer County)

Auburn, CA

hike-requiredmoderatedog-friendlyfree

Height not publishedFree; parking reservation required on weekends, peak-use days, and marked holidays

Official source

Russian Gulch Falls

Mendocino, CA

hike-requiredmoderate

Height not publishedFee/permit not published

Official source

Trillium Falls

Orick, CA

easyno-dogsfree

Height not publishedFree

Official source

Whiskeytown Falls

Whiskeytown, CA

hike-requiredstrenuousdog-friendly

220 ftNational Park Service entrance pass required (7-day or annual)

Yosemite/Sierra Nevada

9 waterfalls · Yosemite/Sierra Nevada guide →

Official source

Bridalveil Fall

Yosemite Valley, CA

easyroadsidewheelchair-accessibledog-friendly

620 ftNational Park entrance fee required

Official source

Chilnualna Falls

Wawona, CA

hike-requiredstrenuousno-dogs

Height not publishedNational Park entrance fee required

Official source

Grizzly Falls

Cedar Grove, CA

roadsidefree

75 ftFree

Official source

Nevada Fall

Yosemite Valley, CA

hike-requiredstrenuousno-dogs

594 ftNational Park entrance fee required

Official source

Rainbow Falls

Mammoth Lakes, CA

hike-requiredmoderatedog-friendly

101 ftFree with a valid National Park pass if driving in; otherwise the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle fee (~$15) applies during the summer mandatory-shuttle season